Prime Minister Hun Sen salutes an honour guard upon his arrival at the 46th anniversary commemoration of his 1977 national liberation journey to topple the Khmer Rouge regime, on June 20. SPM
The government has announced that each province will soon be home to Techo Peace Parks, which will serve to remind the public of the significance of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s win-win policy, which eventually brought about comprehensive peace to Cambodia in the late 1990s.
The decision was made by Hun Sen, at the request of Minister of National Defence Tea Banh, during a June 20 ceremony marking the 46th commemoration of the start of the premier’s journey, embarked on June 20, 1977, to topple the genocidal regime of Pol Pot.
“Each Techo Peace Park will contain features that will encourage us to remember the value of the win-win policy. They will remind people where the peace we all enjoy today originate from, and who was responsible. This is the reason we will create these parks,” explained Tea Banh.
“We all know the value of peace, but we need to remember its origin. This will inspire us to protect and maintain it,” he added.
He noted that local strategy and international affairs analysts have no need to travel if they want to understand diplomatic theories, but should consult with Hun Sen, who understands leadership in all sectors.
“We all know that [Hun Sen’s] win-win strategy brought an end to [civil] war and brought full peace and national unity. We need to understand exactly how the war ended, which theories and strategies were used, and what challenges he faced. I want to stress once more that the peace and development we are all enjoying today stems from the win-win policy that was conceived of by the prime minister,” he added.
He requested Hun Sen’s approval for a sub-decree that would establish a series of historical military sites that would protect and conserve historical evidence.
In response, the prime minister suggested that a legal team be assembled to explore the possibility of creating a law that would protect the Kingdom’s military history.
“As for the recommendation to create Techo Peace parks and Win-Win monuments in each province, I believe we should do it. They will also serve as public parks, and the cost would not be too great,” said Hun Sen.
Chhort Bunthang, director of the Culture Education and Tourism Relations Department at the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, supported the idea, saying it would encourage the public to consider the origins of the peace that has allowed modern Cambodia to develop.
He opined that parks should be places for the public to relax and exercise, while also learning about history.
“We are all familiar with the Independence Monument and the Win-Win monument. The proposed parks should be annexes where both Cambodians and foreigners can see the value of peace, not war,” he said.
Bunthang said he believed the parks would be a reminder for future generations to seek unity and encourage them to work together to protect the Kingdom’s peace and development.
